Each day in November—leading up to the winter meetings—Sporting News will analyze the offseason to-do list of a major league team. Today: the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A second consecutive season of promise. A second consecutive season of disappointment.

The Pirates appeared to be breaking through in 2011, but a dreadful collapse in the second half altered that belief. An even more disappointing collapse in 2012 has people wondering if the breakthrough will ever come after 20 consecutive losing seasons.

Offseason agenda

The Pirates need plenty of help, but pitching is the primary concern. To improve in that area, the team needs to increase the payroll from the $52 million it spent last season, but any bump will be slight and therefore won’t result in the addition of impact arms.

The Pirates have A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez and James McDonald lined up as starters; after that, there are only question marks.

One of the few ways general manager Neal Huntington could improve the rotation is to trade closer Joel Hanrahan, whose stock may never be higher. The bullpen also needs an upgrade, but Huntington historically has done well in finding cheap and useful arms.

The Pirates need more offense, too, and because they are looking for catching, free agent Mike Napoli could be an option. Adding a Napoli or a Russell Martin (who wants to return to the New York Yankees, anyway) would also require a payroll increase. Besides catcher, the team needs offensive upgrades at first base (24th in the majors in OPS at the position), at shortstop (26th) and in left field (28th).

Signing second baseman Neil Walker to a two- or three-year extension to gain cost certainty would benefit the Pirates. Anything longer would be risky.

Possible departures

The team declined its $3.5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas, but Barajas could come back on a cheaper deal to add depth. Barajas is open to returning.

Free-agent right-hander Jason Grilli had a nice season out of the bullpen (2.91 ERA in 58 2/3 innings) and is expected to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere. Starter Kevin Correia probably won’t be back after losing his rotation spot last season.

Early 2013 outlook

Those first three rotation spots are promising, and if Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones, Walker and Pedro Alvarez keep progressing at the plate, the Pirates will have a shot to finish above .500. Those players alone are not enough for the Bucs to contend in the National League Central, however.